Energy-delivery device including ultrasound transducer array and phased antenna array, and methods of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue using same

ABSTRACT

A method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue includes the initial step of providing a handheld device including a phased antenna array and an ultrasound transducer array. The method includes the steps of positioning a tissue-contact surface of the handheld device adjacent to tissue, activating the phased antenna array to deliver energy through the tissue-contact surface to generate an ablation field in targeted tissue, activating the ultrasound transducer array to acquire ultrasound image data representative of the targeted tissue during energy delivery into the targeted tissue by the phased antenna array, and selectively steering the focal point of energy delivery in tissue to adjust the ablation field radiating into tissue.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Continuation Application claiming thebenefit of and priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/029,594, filedon Feb. 17, 2011, by Joseph D. Brannan, entitled “ENERGY-DELIVERY DEVICEINCLUDING ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ARRAY AND PHASED ANTENNA ARRAY, ANDMETHODS OF ADJUSTING AN ABLATION FIELD RADIATING INTO TISSUE USINGSAME”, the entire contents of which being incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical devices suitable fortissue ablation applications and, more particularly, to anenergy-delivery device including an ultrasound transducer array and aphased antenna array, methods of adjusting an ablation field radiatinginto tissue using the same, and systems including the same.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Treatment of certain diseases requires the destruction of malignanttissue growths, e.g., tumors. Electromagnetic radiation can be used toheat and destroy tumor cells. Treatment may involve inserting ablationprobes into tissues where cancerous tumors have been identified. Oncethe probes are positioned, electromagnetic energy is passed through theprobes into surrounding tissue.

In the treatment of diseases such as cancer, certain types of tumorcells have been found to denature at elevated temperatures that areslightly lower than temperatures normally injurious to healthy cells.Known treatment methods, such as hyperthermia therapy, heat diseasedcells to temperatures above 41° C. while maintaining adjacent healthycells below the temperature at which irreversible cell destructionoccurs. These methods involve applying electromagnetic radiation toheat, ablate and/or coagulate tissue. Microwave energy is sometimesutilized to perform these methods. Other procedures utilizingelectromagnetic radiation to heat tissue also include coagulation,cutting and/or ablation of tissue.

Electrosurgical devices utilizing electromagnetic radiation have beendeveloped for a variety of uses and applications. A number of devicesare available that can be used to provide high bursts of energy forshort periods of time to achieve cutting and coagulative effects onvarious tissues. There are a number of different types of apparatus thatcan be used to perform ablation procedures. Typically, microwaveapparatus for use in ablation procedures include a microwave generatorthat functions as an energy source, and a microwave surgical instrument(e.g., microwave ablation probe) having an antenna assembly fordirecting energy to the target tissue. The microwave generator andsurgical instrument are typically operatively coupled by a cableassembly having a plurality of conductors for transmitting microwaveenergy from the generator to the instrument, and for communicatingcontrol, feedback and identification signals between the instrument andthe generator.

There are several types of microwave probes in use, e.g., monopole,dipole and helical, which may be used in tissue ablation applications.In monopole and dipole antenna assemblies, microwave energy generallyradiates perpendicularly away from the axis of the conductor. Monopoleantenna assemblies typically include a single, elongated conductor. Atypical dipole antenna assembly includes two elongated conductors thatare linearly-aligned and positioned end-to-end relative to one anotherwith an electrical insulator placed therebetween. Helical antennaassemblies include helically-shaped conductor configurations of variousdimensions, e.g., diameter and length. The main modes of operation of ahelical antenna assembly are normal mode (broadside), in which the fieldradiated by the helix is maximum in a perpendicular plane to the helixaxis, and axial mode (end fire), in which maximum radiation is along thehelix axis.

During certain procedures, a probe may be inserted directly into tissue,inserted through a lumen, e.g., a vein, needle or catheter, or placedinto the body using surgical techniques. Ultrasound or computedtomography (CT) guidance may used prior to ablation treatments foraiding probe placement. Multiple probes may be used to synergisticallycreate a large ablation or to ablate separate sites simultaneously.

The particular type of tissue ablation procedure may dictate aparticular ablation volume in order to achieve a desired surgicaloutcome. Ablation volume is correlated with antenna design, antennaperformance, antenna impedance, number of energy applicators usedsimultaneously, ablation time and wattage, and tissue characteristics,e.g., tissue impedance. During certain procedures, it can be difficultto assess the extent to which the microwave energy will radiate into thesurrounding tissue, making it difficult to determine the area or volumeof surrounding tissue that will be ablated.

Because of the small temperature difference between the temperaturerequired for denaturing malignant cells and the temperature normallyinjurious to healthy cells, a known heating pattern and precisetemperature control is needed to lead to more predictable temperaturedistribution to eradicate abnormal tissue structures, such as tumors,while minimizing the damage to surrounding normal tissue.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a medical device suitable for deliveryof energy to tissue including a housing, a phased antenna array disposedwithin the housing, and a user-interface coupled to the housing. Theuser-interface is adapted to enable a user to selectively adjust theradiation pattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into a tissueregion by the phased antenna array. The medical device also includes anultrasound transducer array disposed within the housing. The ultrasoundtransducer array is configured to acquire data representative of thetissue region during energy delivery into the tissue region by thephased antenna array.

The present disclosure also relates to a system including aelectrosurgical power generating source and a hand-holdable deviceoperably associated with the electrosurgical power generating source.The hand-holdable device includes a phased antenna array, auser-interface coupled adapted to enable a user to selectively adjustthe radiation pattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into a tissueregion by the phased antenna array, and an ultrasound transducer arrayconfigured to acquire data representative of the tissue region duringenergy delivery into the tissue region by the phased antenna array.

The present disclosure also relates to method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue including the initial step of positioning atissue-contact surface of a medical device adjacent to tissue. Themedical device includes a phased antenna array and an ultrasoundtransducer array. The method includes the steps of delivering energyfrom the phased antenna array through the tissue-contact surface togenerate an ablation field in tissue, displaying ultrasound images usingdata acquired from the ultrasound transducer array representative of atissue region during energy delivery into the tissue region by thephased antenna array, and adjusting the ablation field radiating intotissue by selectively steering the radiated beam of the phased antennaarray.

The present disclosure also relates to method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue including the initial step of providing ahandheld device including a phased antenna array and an ultrasoundtransducer array. The method includes the steps of positioning atissue-contact surface of the handheld device adjacent to tissue,activating the phased antenna array to deliver energy through thetissue-contact surface to generate an ablation field in targeted tissue,activating the ultrasound transducer array to acquire ultrasound imagedata representative of the targeted tissue during energy delivery intothe targeted tissue by the phased antenna array, and selectivelysteering the focal point of energy delivery in tissue to adjust theablation field radiating into tissue.

The present disclosure also relates to method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue including the initial step of positioning atissue-contact surface of a medical device adjacent to tissue. Themedical device includes a phased antenna array and an ultrasoundtransducer array. The method includes the steps of delivering energyfrom the phased antenna array through the tissue-contact surface togenerate an ablation field in tissue, activating the ultrasoundtransducer array to generate a bubble field in a region of tissue,displaying ultrasound images using data acquired from the ultrasoundtransducer array representative of the region of tissue during energydelivery into the region of tissue by the phased antenna array, andadjusting the ablation field radiating into tissue by selectivelysteering the radiated beam of the phased antenna array based onobservation of the bubble field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and features of the presently-disclosed energy-delivery deviceincluding a ultrasound transducer array and a phased antenna array,methods of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue using thesame, and systems including the same will become apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art when descriptions of various embodimentsthereof are read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective and schematic view of a system including anenergy-delivery (medical) device including an ultrasound transducerarray and a phased antenna array in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of a pointing device shown withtwo schematically-illustrated axis (shown by double arrowheaded lines)representative of indicative orientations of the pointing device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an energy-delivery system including aradiant electromagnetic energy transmissive structure disposed at thedistal end of a phased antenna array in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a top, perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1showing the pointing device of FIG. 2 positioned in a first indicativeorientation and showing a diagrammatic representation of a radiationpattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into tissue by the medicaldevice responsive to the first indicative orientation of the pointingdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top, perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1showing the pointing device of FIG. 2 positioned in a second indicativeorientation and showing a diagrammatic representation of a radiationpattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into tissue by the medicaldevice responsive to the second indicative orientation of the pointingdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top, perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1showing the pointing device of FIG. 2 positioned in a third indicativeorientation and showing a diagrammatic representation of a radiationpattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into tissue by the medicaldevice responsive to the third indicative orientation of the pointingdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1showing the pointing device of FIG. 2 positioned in a fourth indicativeorientation and showing a diagrammatic representation of a radiationpattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into tissue by the medicaldevice responsive to the fourth indicative orientation of the pointingdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a control system in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue in accordance with yet another embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of an energy-delivery device (also referred toherein as a “medical device” or a “handheld device”) including anultrasound transducer array and a phased antenna array, methods ofadjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue using the same, andsystems including the same of the present disclosure are described withreference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals mayrefer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of thefigures. As shown in the drawings and as used in this description, andas is traditional when referring to relative positioning on an object,the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the apparatus, orcomponent thereof, closer to the user and the term “distal” refers tothat portion of the apparatus, or component thereof, farther from theuser.

This description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” “inembodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments,” whichmay each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments inaccordance with the present disclosure. For the purposes of thisdescription, a phrase in the form “A/B” means A or B. For the purposesof the description, a phrase in the form “A and/or B” means “(A), (B),or (A and B)”. For the purposes of this description, a phrase in theform “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (Aand C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”.

Electromagnetic energy is generally classified by increasing energy ordecreasing wavelength into radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visiblelight, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma-rays. As it is used in thisdescription, “microwave” generally refers to electromagnetic waves inthe frequency range of 300 megahertz (MHz) (3×10⁸ cycles/second) to 300gigahertz (GHz) (3×10¹¹ cycles/second).

As it is used in this description, “ablation procedure” generally refersto any ablation procedure, such as, for example, microwave ablation,radiofrequency (RF) ablation, or microwave or RF ablation-assistedresection. As it is used in this description, “energy applicator”generally refers to any device that can be used to transfer energy froma power generating source, such as a microwave or RF electrosurgicalgenerator, to tissue. For the purposes herein, the term “energyapplicator” is interchangeable with the term “energy-delivery device”.As it is used in this description, “transmission line” generally refersto any transmission medium that can be used for the propagation ofsignals from one point to another.

As it is used in this description, “phased antenna array” generallyrefers to any multi-element antenna array capable of shifting the phaseof the signal emitted from each radiating element, to provideconstructive/destructive interference so as to steer the antenna beam inthe desired direction. For the purposes herein, the term “radiatingelement” is interchangeable with the term “antenna element”. As it isused in this description, “electromagnetic window” generally refers toany and all types of radomes and windows through which electromagneticsignals are passed in use.

As it is used in this description, “length” may refer to electricallength or physical length. In general, electrical length is anexpression of the length of a transmission medium in terms of thewavelength of a signal propagating within the medium. Electrical lengthis normally expressed in terms of wavelength, radians or degrees. Forexample, electrical length may be expressed as a multiple orsub-multiple of the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave or electricalsignal propagating within a transmission medium. The wavelength may beexpressed in radians or in artificial units of angular measure, such asdegrees. The electric length of a transmission medium may be expressedas its physical length multiplied by the ratio of (a) the propagationtime of an electrical or electromagnetic signal through the medium to(b) the propagation time of an electromagnetic wave in free space over adistance equal to the physical length of the medium. The electricallength is in general different from the physical length. By the additionof an appropriate reactive element (capacitive or inductive), theelectrical length may be made significantly shorter or longer than thephysical length.

As used in this description, the term “real-time” means generally withno observable latency between data processing and display. As used inthis description, “near real-time” generally refers to a relativelyshort time span between the time of data acquisition and display.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an ultrasoundtransducer array and a phased antenna array incorporated into one,direct-to-patient contact device capable of directing electromagneticenergy into tissue. The presently-disclosed energy-delivery devicesincluding an ultrasound transducer array and a phased antenna array areadapted to enable user control of the radiation pattern ofelectromagnetic energy delivered into tissue, and may be suitable foruse in a variety of procedures and operations. Various embodiments ofthe presently-disclosed energy-delivery device including an ultrasoundtransducer array and a phased antenna array are adapted to behand-holdable and include an ergonomically located user-interface.

Various embodiments of the presently-disclosed energy-delivery deviceincluding an ultrasound transducer array and a phased antenna array areadapted to enable user-controllable focal location of electromagneticenergy delivery into tissue to depths ranging from about one centimeter(cm) to about three centimeters, e.g., in relation to a tissue surface,at an operational frequency between about 1 GHz and about 5 GHz.Embodiments may enable user-controllable focal location ofelectromagnetic energy delivery into tissue to a variable predetermineddepth or range of depths. In the case of a 3 cm ablation that is focallylocated 3 cm deep, for example, tissue 4.5 cm deep can be treated. Byenlarging the device, decreasing operational frequency and/or increasingthe number of array elements, deeper tissue may be treatable. In someembodiments, data acquired by the ultrasound transducer array may beoutputted from the energy-delivery device to an ultrasound imagingsystem, and may be outputted from the imaging system to one or moredisplay devices, which may be used by the clinician to visualize thetargeted region in real-time and/or near real-time.

The presently-disclosed energy-delivery device including an ultrasoundtransducer array and a phased antenna array according to variousembodiments is designed and configured to operate between about 300 MHzand about 10 GHz. Embodiments may be implemented using electromagneticradiation at microwave frequencies, RF frequencies or at otherfrequencies.

Various embodiments of the presently-disclosed energy-delivery deviceincluding an ultrasound transducer array and a phased antenna array aresuitable for microwave or RF ablation and for use to pre-coagulatetissue for microwave or RF ablation-assisted surgical resection.Although various methods described hereinbelow are targeted towardmicrowave ablation and the complete destruction of target tissue, it isto be understood that methods for directing electromagnetic radiationmay be used with other therapies in which the target tissue is partiallydestroyed or damaged. In addition, although the following descriptiondescribes the use of a microwave phased antenna array, the teachings ofthe present disclosure may also apply to other type of user-controllablephased antenna array.

An electrosurgical system including an energy-delivery device includingan ultrasound transducer array and a phased antenna array according tovarious embodiments is capable of providing real-time and/or nearreal-time image feedback during electromagnetic energy-induced thermaltherapy, e.g., to allow the clinician to better visualize and understandhow to achieve more optimized results during thermal treatment oftissue.

FIG. 1 shows an electrosurgical system (shown generally as 100)according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that includes anenergy-delivery device 10 including an ultrasound transducer array 67and a microwave phased antenna array 61. Microwave phased antenna array61 generally includes a plurality of radiating elements (e.g., “A₁”,“A₂”, “A₃”, “A₄” through “A_(N)” shown in FIG. 3) positioned to form adesired number of rows and columns. In some embodiments, the radiatingelements may be aperture (waveguide) or linear (dipole) antennasoperating at S, L, or C band frequencies. In some embodiments, theradiating elements may be spiral, dipole, slot, or any type ofmicrostrip antenna, e.g., a patch antenna (also known as a rectangularmicrostrip antenna), and may be formed on a substrate, such as adielectric sheet material, e.g., using conventional printed circuitboard (PCB) fabrication techniques.

Ultrasound transducer device 67 (also referred to herein as an“ultrasound transducer array”) may be any suitable device capable ofgenerating, transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. Ultrasoundtransducer device 67 may include a one-dimensional or multi-dimensionalarray of transducer elements (not shown). Ultrasound transducer device67 may be adapted for amplifying the reflected ultrasound signalreceived by the ultrasound transducer device 67. In some embodiments,ultrasound transducer array 67 includes a plurality of transducerelements that are individually controllable and operable to form atwo-dimensional array, e.g., suitable for scanning a volumetric regionin three dimensions. Individual transducer elements may be individuallyselectable and operable together to form a one-dimensional array, e.g.,suitable for scanning a planar region in two dimensions. Ultrasoundtransducer array 67 may be adapted to produce an image over a wide fieldof view, such as a sector scan image produced by repeatedly transmittingand receiving ultrasound energy in radial directions from the medicaldevice 10. Ultrasound imaging may allow the clinician to observe therelationship between abnormal tissue structures, such as tumors, andnormal tissue structures, such as vessels and tissue boundaries, duringtreatments.

Energy-delivery device 10 includes a housing 15 generally defining afirst axis “A₁”-“A₁”, e.g., a central longitudinal axis, and a secondaxis “A₂”-“A₂” disposed perpendicular to the first axis “A₁”-“A₁”. Insome embodiments, the housing 15 is formed from two housing halves (notshown). Each half of the housing 15 may include a series of mechanicalinterfacing components (not shown) configured to matingly engage with acorresponding series of mechanical interfaces (not shown) to align thetwo housing halves about the inner components and assemblies of theenergy-delivery device 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 15 includes a body member 17 including adistal end 13. Body member 17 defines a tissue-contact surface 14 at thedistal end 13, a top surface 12 including a distal edge coupled to thetissue-contact surface 14, and an internal chamber 7 configured tocontain the ultrasound transducer device 67 and the microwave phasedantenna array 61 therein. Tissue-contact surface 14 may have anysuitable configuration, e.g., a flat, planar or curved configuration,and may be disposed generally perpendicular to the top surface 12.

Tissue-contact surface 14 generally includes one or more regionsdefining one or more electromagnetic windows through whichelectromagnetic signals are passed in use. In some embodiments, thetissue-contact surface 14 includes a first region 28 defining anultrasound transmissive window 27 and a second region 22 defining amicrowave transmissive window 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the first region28 corresponds to a lower portion of the tissue-contact surface 14, andthe second region 22 corresponds to an upper portion of thetissue-contact surface 14. Ultrasound transducer device 67 operationsmay involve directing ultrasound energy through the ultrasoundtransmissive window 27 and receiving ultrasound energy through theultrasound transmissive window 27.

Ultrasound transmissive window 27 and the microwave transmissive window21 may be composed of low-loss dielectric materials. It will beappreciated that the ultrasound transmissive window 27 and the microwavetransmissive window 21 may be disposed in any suitable relation to oneanother, such as one above (or below) the other, and may have anysuitable shape, e.g., depending on the particular configuration of theultrasound transducer device 67 and/or the microwave phased antennaarray 61 housed within the body member 17.

Body member 17, or portion thereof, may be formed from metal,thermoplastic, e.g., polycarbonate, composites, e.g., plastic-metal orceramic-metal composites, or other materials, and may be configured tobe hand-holdable. The design and/or material of the ultrasoundtransmissive window 27 and the microwave transmissive window 21 maydiffer compared to one or more structural parts of the tissue-contactsurface 14, e.g., to achieve desired electrical performance. The sizeand shape of the housing 15 may be varied from the configurationdepicted in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, electrosurgical system 100 generally includes anelectrosurgical power generating source 120, e.g., a microwave or RFelectrosurgical generator, a user-interface 46 associated with theenergy-delivery device 10, and a processor unit 150 communicativelycoupled with the phased antenna array 61. User-interface 46 may becommunicatively coupled with the processor unit 150 and/or otherprocessor unit (not shown). Electrosurgical system 100 may include anultrasonic imaging system 140 communicatively coupled with theultrasound transducer array 67. Ultrasonic imaging system 140 may beconnected to one or more display devices and/or screens 146 (e.g., LCD(liquid crystal display), plasma, OLED (organic light emitting diode),holographic, flat, and the like) for displaying output from theultrasonic imaging system 140, which may allow clinicians to visualizethe ablative process in real-time and/or near real-time.

User-interface 46 may be adapted to cooperatively operate with theprocessor unit 150 and/or other processor (not shown) to enable the userto selectively-control one or more parameters of electromagnetic energydelivery into tissue by the medical device 10. User-interface 46 may bedisposed on, or otherwise associated with, the housing 15, e.g.,ergonomically located on the top surface 12 of the body member 17. Insome embodiments, the user-interface 46 includes a pointing device 45,e.g., a joystick, trackball, or the like, communicatively coupled to theprocessor unit 150.

In some embodiments, user-effected movement of the pointing device 45 isdefined with respect to “X” and “Y” axes (schematically shown by doublearrowheaded lines in FIG. 2), representative of indicative orientationsof the pointing device 45. The axis “Y” may be oriented in a directionparallel to the first axis “A₁”-“A₁” of the housing 15, and the axis “X”may be oriented in a direction parallel to the second axis “A₂”-“A₂” ofthe housing 15. As described in more detail later in this description,one or more parameters of electromagnetic energy delivery into tissue bythe medical device 10 may be correlated to the indicative orientationsof the pointing device 45.

Pointing device 45 may be ergonomically located on the top surface 12 ofthe body member 17 such that the user can control the pointing device 45easily with thumb, finger, or palm. As an alternative to (or in additionto) the pointing device 45, the user-interface 46 may include voiceinput technology, including, for example, hardware and/or softwareincorporated in the processor unit 150, or a separate digital moduleconnected to the processor unit 150. The voice input technology mayinclude voice recognition, voice activation, voice rectification, and/orembedded speech.

User-interface 46 may additionally, or alternatively, include a poweron/off switch 44. The power on/off switch 44 may be disposed on, orotherwise associated with, the housing 15, e.g., ergonomically locatedon the top surface 12, and may have any suitable configuration, e.g.,rotatable knobs, depressable buttons, toggle switches, slide switches,voice or sound actuated switches, or any other suitable device capableof turning off power to the medical device 10. The power on/off switch44 may be implemented as a remotely operable device, such as afootswitch, a handswitch, or an orally-activated switch. User-interface46 may additionally, or alternatively, include an indicator (not shown),such as an audible and/or visual indicator, e.g., an illuminatedindicator (e.g., a single- or variably-colored LED indicator), to alertor signal the user that power is turned on/off.

User-interface 46 may be adapted to cooperatively operate with theprocessor unit 150 to enable the user to selectively-steer the focalpoint of energy delivery in tissue to various locations and/or to enablethe user to the control the energy deposition pattern, e.g., an ablationfield radiating into tissue. One or more electrical signals outputtedfrom the user-interface 46, e.g., responsive to a user-effected movementof the pointing device 45, received by the processor unit 150 may beused to determine and set the phasing of radiating elements of themicrowave phased antenna array 61, e.g., to allow the focal point ofenergy delivery in tissue to be varied in position in real-time and/ornear real-time.

Processor unit 150 may include any type of computing device,computational circuit, or any type of processor or processing circuitcapable of executing a series of instructions that are stored in amemory, e.g., memory 151, associated with the processor unit 150.Processor unit 150 may be adapted to run an operating system platformand application programs. Although the processor unit 150 is illustratedas a standalone module in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that theprocessor unit 150 may be integrated fully or partially into theelectrosurgical power generating source 120, or other component of theelectrosurgical system 100. Medical device 10 may be configured with amemory 51 disposed within the body member 17 and communicatively coupledwith the processor unit 150 and/or communicatively coupled with aninternal processor (not shown).

Processor unit 150 may receive user inputs from the user-interface 46,such as an electric signal indicative of the position and/or a relativemovement of the pointing device 45, e.g., a joystick or trackball,and/or other device communicatively coupled to the processor unit 150.In some embodiments, data “D” (representative of a mapping of theindicative orientations of the pointing device 45 to settings forproperly phasing the phased antenna array 61 to achieve desiredradiation patterns) is stored in a suitable memory for use by theprocessor 150, e.g., to enable steering of the beam and/or the focalpoint of energy delivery in the desired direction and/or to the desiredlocation in tissue. Data “D” may be stored in any suitable datastructure, such as a look-up table or other data structure. Data “D” maybe stored in a memory 51 (internal to medical device 10) and/or storedin a memory 151 (external to medical device 10). In some embodiments,data “D” may be stored in a library (not shown) communicatively coupledto processor 150. As it is used in this description, “library” generallyrefers to any repository, databank, database, cache, storage unit andthe like.

Electrosurgical power generating source 120 may be any generatorsuitable for use with electrosurgical devices, and may be configured toprovide various frequencies of electromagnetic energy. In someembodiments, the electrosurgical power generating source 120 isconfigured to provide microwave energy at an operational frequency fromabout 300 MHz to about 10 GHz. An example of an electrosurgicalgenerator that delivers 915 MHz, which may be suitable for use as asource of electrosurgical energy, is commercially available under thetrademark EVIDENT™ Microwave Ablation Generator offered by Covidien.

Electrosurgical power generating source 120 may include a user-interface125 in operable communication with processor unit 150. Electrosurgicalpower generating source 120 may include a database configured to storeand retrieve energy applicator data, e.g., parameters associated withone or more energy-delivery devices. In use, the clinician may interactwith the user-interface 125 to preview operational characteristics of anenergy-delivery device, such as, for example, medical device 10.User-interface 125 may include a display device (not shown) adapted tovisually display one or more user-interface elements. The display devicemay include touchscreen capability, e.g., the ability to receive userinput through direct physical interaction with the display device, e.g.,by contacting the display panel of the display device with a stylus orfingertip.

Microwave phased antenna array 61 may be operably coupled to theprocessor unit 150 and/or the electrosurgical power generating source120 by a cable connection or a wireless connection, e.g., aradiofrequency or infrared link. In some embodiments, energy-deliverydevice 10 includes a first cable assembly 31 operably coupled to a firstconnector 35, which further operably connects the phased antenna array61 via a first transmission line 104 to the processor unit 150. Firstcable assembly 31 may have a proximal end suitable for connection to theelectrosurgical energy source 120.

Energy-delivery device 10 may additionally, or alternatively, include asecond cable assembly 32 operably coupled to a second connector 36,which further operably connects the ultrasound transducer device 61 viaa second transmission line 109 to the ultrasonic imaging system 140.Second cable assembly 32 may have a proximal end suitable for connectionto the ultrasonic imaging system 140.

In some embodiments, data acquired from the ultrasound transducer array61 is outputted from the energy-delivery device 100 to the ultrasoundimaging system 140, e.g., for processing to provide an image formatsuitable for display, and may be outputted from the imaging system 140to one or more display devices 146, which may be used by the clinicianto visualize the targeted region and/or the ablation isotherm volume inreal-time or near real-time during a procedure. During activation of theultrasound transducer array 61, a bubble field or cloud of micro-finebubbles may be generated in the targeted region, e.g., resulting fromthermally-induced mass phase transition (e.g., liquid-gas phasetransition), and may be visibly observable within the ultrasoundimaging. Observation of the temporal evolution and spatial distributionof the bubble cloud generated in the target region may allow cliniciansto better visualize and understand how to achieve more optimized resultsduring thermal treatment of tissue, e.g., to allow clinicians to avoidablating sensitive structures, such as large vessels, healthy organs orvital membrane barriers.

Electrosurgical system 100 may include a coolant supply system (e.g.,350 shown in FIG. 3) coupled in fluid communication with one or morecomponents of the medical device 10. In some embodiments, the coolantsupply system may be adapted to circulate coolant fluid (e.g., “F” shownin FIG. 3) into and out of an electromagnetic window (e.g., 390 shown inFIG. 3) disposed at the distal end 13 of the housing 15.

During microwave ablation, e.g., using the electrosurgical system 100,the medical device 10 is placed adjacent to tissue and microwave energyis supplied thereto. A clinician may pre-determine the length of timethat microwave energy is to be applied. Application duration may dependon many factors such as tumor size and location and whether the tumorwas a secondary or primary cancer. The duration of microwave energyapplication using the medical device 10 may depend on the progress ofthe heat distribution within the tissue area that is to be destroyedand/or the surrounding tissue. Treatment of certain tumors may involveprobe repositioning during the ablation procedure, such as where thetumor is larger than the probe or has a shape that does not correspondwith available probe geometry or radiation pattern.

User-interface 46 may include indicia thereon representative of one ormore user-selectable parameters of electromagnetic energy delivery intotissue by the medical device 10, e.g., a first scale “S₁” and a secondscale “S₂”. As shown in FIG. 2, the first scale “S₁” includes indiciagraduation marks and angle in degrees (e.g., 45°, 0°, 45°), and thesecond scale “S₂” includes indicia graduation marks and a series ofconsecutive positive integers (e.g., 1, 2, 3) corresponding toincreasing levels of energy intensity indicative of energy intensitylevels. The indicia may be etched, stamped, formed or the like, e.g., onthe upper surface 12 and neighboring the pointing device 45. The designof the indicia may be varied from the configuration depicted in FIG. 2.

One or more parameters of electromagnetic energy delivery into tissue bythe medical device 10 may be correlated to indicative orientations ofthe pointing device 45. User-effected movement of the pointing device 45may be defined in terms of movement in a first direction (e.g., anX-axis direction) and movement in a second direction (e.g., a Y-axisdirection) perpendicular to the first direction. Signals outputted fromthe pointing device 45 representative of indicative orientations of thepointing device 45 may be correlated to one or more parameters ofelectromagnetic energy delivery into tissue.

In some embodiments, user-effected movement of the pointing device 45 ina first direction (e.g., an X-axis direction), a second direction (e.g.,a Y-axis direction) and/or a third direction (e.g., a Z-axis direction)is correlated to a predetermined phasing of the phased antenna array 61,to enable steering of the beam and/or steering of the focal point ofenergy delivery by the medical device 10 in the desired direction and/orto the desired location in tissue “T”.

In some embodiments, medical device 10 is configured to adjust powerparameters (e.g., voltage, power and/or current intensity) and/or thepower versus impedance curve shape to affect the perceived outputintensity, responsive to user-effected movement of the pointing device45 in a first direction (e.g., an X-axis direction). For example, thegreater the lateral displacement of the pointing device 45 in a distaldirection, the greater the level of the power parameters transmitted tothe phased antenna array 61. Intensity settings may be preset andselected from a look-up table, e.g., based on a configuration of theradiating elements of the phased antenna array 61, desired surgicaleffect, surgical specialty and/or surgeon preference. The selection maybe made automatically or selected manually by the user. The intensityvalues may be predetermined or adjusted by the user.

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of an embodiment of an energy-deliverysystem (shown generally as 300) that includes a signal source 310, aphased antenna array 360 coupled to the signal source 310, and a radiantelectromagnetic energy transmissive structure 390 (also referred toherein as an “electromagnetic window”) disposed at the distal end of thephased antenna array 360. Signal source 310 is generally configured toprovide microwave frequency output signals.

Phased antenna array 360 includes a microwave amplifier unit 320 coupledto the signal source 310, a microwave power splitter 330 coupled to themicrowave amplifier unit 320, a controller 340 coupled to the microwavepower splitter 330, and a plurality of radiating elements “A₁”, “A₂”,“A₃”, “A₄” through “A_(N)” coupled to the controller 340. Microwaveamplifier unit 320 may have any suitable input power and output power.Power splitter 330 may be implemented by a variety of components,including without limitation, coplanar striplines, coplanar waveguides,Wilkinson power dividers, and/or other suitable power dividers. In someembodiments, the power splitter 330 may be implemented by any suitablepower divider that provides an equal or unequal power split at itsoutput ports while substantially maintaining a predetermined phaserelationship.

Controller 340 generally includes a plurality of phase shifters “S₁”,“S₂”, “S₃”, “S₄” through “S_(N)”. Controller 340 may include a number ofprocessor units (not shown) coupled to the phase shifters “S₁”, “S₂”,“S₃”, “S₄” through “S_(N)” for controlling output of one or more of thephase shifters “S₁” through “S_(N)” to provide a desired phaserelationship of electrical signals in each channel of the phased antennaarray 360. The processing units may include multiple processors and/ormulticore CPUs and may include any type of processor capable ofexecuting software, such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor,microcontroller, or the like.

Energy-delivery system 300 includes an electromagnetic window 390disposed between the phased antenna array 360 and tissue “T”.Electromagnetic window 390 may include a water bolus, or otherdielectric material. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic window 390is coupled in fluid communication with a coolant supply system 350including a coolant source 355.

Coolant source 355 may be any suitable housing containing a reservoir ofcoolant fluid “F”, and may maintain coolant fluid “F” at a predeterminedtemperature. For example, the coolant source 355 may include a coolingunit (not shown) capable of cooling the returning coolant fluid “F” fromthe electromagnetic window 390. Coolant fluid “F” may be any suitablefluid that can be used for cooling or buffering the electromagneticwindow 390, e.g., deionized water, or other suitable cooling medium.Coolant fluid “F” may have dielectric properties and may providedielectric impedance buffering for the phased antenna array 360. Variousfluids may be used, e.g., liquids including, but not limited to, water,saline, perfluorocarbon, such as the commercially available Fluorinert®perfluorocarbon liquid offered by Minnesota Mining and ManufacturingCompany (3M), liquid chlorodifluoromethane, etc. In other variations,gases (such as nitrous oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.) may alsobe utilized as the cooling fluid. In yet another variation, acombination of liquids and/or gases, including, for example, thosementioned above, may be utilized as the coolant fluid “F”.

FIGS. 4 through 7 show the medical device 10 positioned for delivery ofelectromagnetic energy into tissue “T” shown with the pointing device 45positioned in varied indicative orientations and shown with diagrammaticrepresentations of radiation patterns of electromagnetic energydelivered into tissue by the medical device 10 responsive to theindicative orientations of the pointing device 45. It is to beunderstood that the indicative orientations of the pointing device 45and the radiation patterns of electromagnetic energy are provided forillustrative purposes only, and that medical device 10 embodiments ofthe present disclosure may be utilized with many different indicativeorientations of the pointing device 45 and many different radiationpatterns.

FIG. 4 shows the tissue-contact surface 14 of the medical device 10disposed adjacent to tissue “T” during a procedure, e.g., an ablationprocedure, wherein the pointing device 45 is positioned in a firstindicative orientation “I₁”. For example, the first indicativeorientation “I₁” may correlate with a 30° beam angle and an intensitylevel “1”, e.g., low-intensity level. FIG. 4 shows a diagrammaticrepresentation of a radiation pattern “P₁” of electromagnetic energydelivered into tissue “T” by the medical device 10 responsive to thefirst indicative orientation “I₁” of the pointing device 45 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows the tissue-contact surface 14 of the medical device 10disposed adjacent to tissue “T” during a procedure wherein the pointingdevice 45 is positioned in a second indicative orientation “I₂”. Forexample, the second indicative orientation “I₂” may correlate with a 0°beam angle and an intensity level “2”, e.g., medium-intensity level.FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of a radiation pattern “P₂”of electromagnetic energy delivered into tissue “T” by the medicaldevice responsive to the second indicative orientation “I₂” of thepointing device 45 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows the tissue-contact surface 14 of the medical device 10disposed adjacent to tissue “T” during a procedure wherein the pointingdevice 45 is positioned in a third indicative orientation “I₃”. Forexample, the third indicative orientation “I₃” may correlate with a 0°beam angle and an intensity level “3”, e.g., high-intensity level. FIG.6 shows a diagrammatic representation of a radiation pattern “P₃” ofelectromagnetic energy delivered into tissue “T” by the medical deviceresponsive to the third indicative orientation “I₃” of the pointingdevice 45 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows the tissue-contact surface 14 of the medical device 10disposed adjacent to tissue “T” during a procedure wherein the pointingdevice 45 is positioned in a fourth indicative orientation “I₄”. Forexample, the fourth indicative orientation “I₄” may correlate with a−30° beam angle and an intensity level “1”, e.g., low-intensity level.FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of a radiation pattern “P₄”of electromagnetic energy delivered into tissue “T” by the medicaldevice 10 responsive to the fourth indicative orientation “I₄” of thepointing device 45 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a control system 800according to the present disclosure that is communicatively coupled withan on/off button 810 and configured to utilize a joystick positionsignal 820 indicative of intensity and angle of beam. Asschematically-illustrated in FIG. 8, the control system 800 utilizes thejoystick position signal 820 to determine whether to adjust antennaand/or amplifier gain 830 and/or to determine the phasing of theradiating elements (1 through N) of a phased antenna array 861, e.g., toallow the focal point of energy delivery in tissue to be varied inposition in real-time and/or near real-time.

Control system 800 is configured such that when the on/off button 810 isin the “ON” state, adjustment of antenna and/or amplifier gain 830 ispermitted, and when the on/off button 810 is in the “OFF” state,adjustment of antenna and/or amplifier gain 830 is not permitted.Joystick position signal 820 may be used in conjunction with a lookuptable 840 to enable selective steering of the radiated beam of thephased antenna array 861. Lookup table 840 includes data representativeof a mapping of the joystick positions to the phasing of the phasedantenna array 861. As schematically-illustrated in FIG. 8, the controlsystem 800 utilizes the lookup table 840 to determine the phasing of theradiating elements (1 through N) of the phased antenna array 861.

Hereinafter, methods of adjusting an ablation field radiating intotissue is described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 11. It is to beunderstood that the steps of the methods provided herein may beperformed in combination and in a different order than presented hereinwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In step 910, a tissue-contact surface 14 of a medical device10 is positioned adjacent to tissue “T”. The medical device 10 includesa phased antenna array 61 and an ultrasound transducer array 67.Ultrasound transducer array 67 may be any suitable device capable ofgenerating, transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. Phased antennaarray 61 may be a microwave phased antenna array.

Phased antenna array 61 is operably coupled to an electrosurgical powergenerating source 120, e.g., a microwave electrosurgical generator.Phased antenna array 61 may be operably coupled to a user-interface 46and a processor unit 150. The user-interface 46 may include a pointingdevice 45. The phased antenna array generally includes a plurality ofradiating elements (e.g., radiating elements 1 through N of the phasedantenna array 861 shown in FIG. 8).

In step 920, energy is delivered from the phased antenna array 61through the tissue-contact surface 14 to generate an ablation field intissue “T”.

In step 930, ultrasound images are displayed using data acquired fromthe ultrasound transducer array 67 representative of a tissue regionduring energy delivery into the tissue region by the phased antennaarray 61. Displaying ultrasound images, in step 930, may include thesteps of providing a screen 146 suitable for displaying images, anddisplaying the ultrasound images on the screen 146.

Displaying ultrasound images, in step 930, may also include the steps ofoutputting data acquired by the ultrasound transducer array to anultrasound imaging system 140, and outputting ultrasound images from theultrasound imaging system 140 to the at least one screen 146.

In step 940, the ablation field radiating into tissue is adjusted byselectively steering the radiated beam of the phased antenna array 61.In some embodiments, at least one electrical signal outputted from theuser-interface responsive to a user-effected movement of the pointingdevice 45, received by the processor unit 150, is used to determinephasing of the plurality of radiating elements of the phased antennaarray.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In step 1010, a handheld device 10 is provided that includesan ultrasound transducer array 67 and a phased antenna array 61.Ultrasound transducer array 67 may be any suitable device capable ofgenerating, transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. Phased antennaarray 61 may be a microwave phased antenna array. In some embodiments,an electromagnetic window 390 is disposed between the phased antennaarray 360 and tissue “T”.

In step 1020, a tissue-contact surface 14 of the handheld device 10 ispositioned adjacent to tissue “T”. Tissue-contact surface 14 may includea first region 28 defining an ultrasound transmissive window 27 and asecond region 22 defining a microwave transmissive window 21.

In step 1030, the phased antenna array 61 is activated to deliver energythrough the tissue-contact surface 14 into tissue “T”. Electromagneticenergy delivery through the tissue-contact surface 14 may be used togenerate an ablation field radiating into tissue “T”. Phased antennaarray 61 is operably coupled to an electrosurgical power generatingsource 120, e.g., a microwave electrosurgical generator, and may beoperably coupled to a processor unit 150.

In step 1040, the ultrasound transducer array 67 is activated to acquireultrasound image data representative of a tissue region during energydelivery into the tissue region by the phased antenna array 61.Activating the ultrasound transducer array, in step 1040, may includethe steps of directing ultrasound energy through a ultrasoundtransmissive window 27 and receiving ultrasound energy through theultrasound transmissive window 27.

In step 1050, the focal point of energy delivery in tissue isselectively steered to adjust an ablation field radiating into tissue“T”. Handheld device 10 may include a user-interface 46 including apointing device 45, e.g., communicatively coupled with a processor unit150, adapted to enable a user to selectively steer the focal point ofenergy delivery in tissue “T”.

In some embodiments, data “D” representative of a mapping of theindicative orientations of the pointing device 45 to the phasing of thephased antenna array 61 is stored in a suitable memory 151 for use bythe processor 150 to steer the antenna beam and/or focal point of energydelivery by the medical device 10 in the desired direction and/or to thedesired location in tissue “T”.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In step 1110, a tissue-contact surface 14 of a medicaldevice 10 is positioned adjacent to tissue “T”. The medical device 10includes a phased antenna array 61 and an ultrasound transducer array67. Ultrasound transducer array 67 may be any suitable device capable ofgenerating, transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. Phased antennaarray 61 may be a microwave phased antenna array.

Phased antenna array 61 is operably coupled to an electrosurgical powergenerating source 120, and may be operably coupled to a user-interface46 and a processor unit 150. The user-interface 46 may include apointing device 45. The phased antenna array generally includes aplurality of radiating elements (e.g., radiating elements 1 through N ofthe phased antenna array 861 shown in FIG. 8).

In step 1120, energy is delivered from the phased antenna array 61through the tissue-contact surface 14 to generate an ablation field intissue “T”.

In step 1130, the ultrasound transducer array 67 is activated togenerate a bubble field in a region of tissue “T”. The bubble field mayinclude a cloud of micro-fine bubbles e.g., resulting fromthermally-induced mass phase transition (e.g., liquid-gas phasetransition).

In step 1140, ultrasound images are displayed using data acquired fromthe ultrasound transducer array representative of the region of tissueduring energy delivery into the region of tissue by the phased antennaarray. Displaying ultrasound images, in step 1140, may include the stepsof providing a screen 146 suitable for displaying images, and displayingthe ultrasound images on the screen 146, wherein the bubble field isvisibly observable within one or more of the ultrasound images displayedon the screen 146.

In step 1150, the ablation field radiating into tissue is adjusted byselectively steering the radiated beam of the phased antenna array 61based on observation of the bubble field, e.g., based on observation ofthe temporal evolution and/or spatial distribution of the bubble field.

The above-described energy-delivery devices including an ultrasoundtransducer array and a phased antenna array are capable of directingenergy into tissue, and may be suitable for use in a variety ofprocedures and operations. The presently-disclosed energy-deliverydevice including an ultrasound transducer array and a phased antennaarray may be implemented using electromagnetic radiation at microwavefrequencies, RF frequencies or at other frequencies.

The above-described energy-delivery device including an ultrasoundtransducer array and a phased antenna array according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure are adapted to be hand-holdable and include anergonomically located user-interface.

The above-described electrosurgical systems and methods of adjusting anablation field radiating into tissue using an energy-delivery deviceaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure provide cliniciansthe ability to visualize a tissue region during energy delivery into thetissue region. In the above-described electrosurgical systems, dataacquired by the ultrasound transducer array may be outputted from theabove-described energy-delivery device to an ultrasound imaging system,and may be outputted from the imaging system to one or more displaydevices and/or screens, which may be used by the clinician to visualizethe targeted region in real-time and/or near real-time.

The above-described electrosurgical systems and methods of adjusting anablation field radiating into tissue using an energy-delivery deviceaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure may allow cliniciansto avoid ablating or unnecessarily heating normal tissue structures,such as large vessels, healthy organs or sensitive membrane barriers, byadjusting the ablation field radiating into tissue, e.g., based onobservation of ultrasound image data acquired by the ultrasoundtransducer array. The above-described methods of adjusting an ablationfield radiating into tissue using an energy-delivery device according toembodiments of the present disclosure may allow clinicians to avoidablating or unnecessarily heating normal tissue structures byselectively steering the radiated beam of the phased antenna array basedon observation of the temporal evolution and/or spatial distribution ofa bubble field during energy delivery to tissue.

Although embodiments have been described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings for the purpose of illustration and description,it is to be understood that the inventive processes and apparatus arenot to be construed as limited thereby. It will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that various modifications to the foregoingembodiments may be made without departing from the scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of adjusting an ablation field radiatinginto tissue, comprising the steps of: positioning a tissue-contactsurface of a medical device adjacent to tissue, the medical deviceincluding a phased antenna array and an ultrasound transducer array;delivering energy from the phased antenna array through thetissue-contact surface to generate an ablation field in tissue;activating the ultrasound transducer array to generate a bubble field ina region of tissue; displaying ultrasound images using data acquiredfrom the ultrasound transducer array representative of the region oftissue during energy delivery into the region of tissue by the phasedantenna array; and adjusting the ablation field radiating into tissue byelectronically steering a radiated beam of the phased antenna arraybased on observation of the bubble field.
 2. The method of adjusting anablation field radiating into tissue of claim 1, wherein the bubblefield includes a cloud of micro-fine bubbles.
 3. The method of adjustingan ablation field radiating into tissue of claim 1, wherein the bubblefield is visibly observable within the ultrasound images.
 4. The methodof adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue of claim 1, whereinthe step of displaying ultrasound images further includes the steps of:outputting data acquired by the ultrasound transducer array to anultrasound imaging system; and outputting ultrasound images from theultrasound imaging system to a screen, wherein the bubble field isvisibly observable within the ultrasound images displayed on the screen.5. The method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue ofclaim 1, wherein observation of the bubble field includes observation ofa temporal evolution and spatial distribution of the bubble field. 6.The method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue of claim1, wherein the step of displaying ultrasound images includes the stepsof: providing at least one screen suitable for displaying ultrasoundimages; and displaying the ultrasound images on the at least one screen.7. The method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue ofclaim 6, wherein the step of displaying ultrasound images furtherincludes the steps of: outputting data acquired by the ultrasoundtransducer array to an ultrasound imaging system; and outputtingultrasound images from the ultrasound imaging system to at least onescreen.
 8. The method of adjusting an ablation field radiating intotissue of claim 1, wherein the phased antenna array is operably coupledto an electrosurgical power generating source.
 9. The method ofadjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue of claim 8, whereinthe phased antenna array includes a plurality of radiating elements. 10.The method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue of claim9, wherein the phased antenna array is operably coupled to auser-interface and a processor unit, wherein the user-interface includesa pointing device.
 11. The method of adjusting an ablation fieldradiating into tissue of claim 10, wherein the step of adjusting theablation field radiating into tissue by selectively steering theradiated beam of the phased antenna array includes the steps of: usingat least one electrical signal outputted from the user-interfaceresponsive to a user-effected movement of the pointing device, receivedby the processor unit, to determine phasing of the plurality ofradiating elements.
 12. The method of adjusting an ablation fieldradiating into tissue of claim 1, wherein the tissue-contact surfaceincludes a first region defining an ultrasound transmissive window. 13.The method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue of claim12, wherein the ultrasound transducer array is operatively associatedwith the ultrasound transmissive window.
 14. The method of adjusting anablation field radiating into tissue of claim 12, wherein the step ofactivating the ultrasound transducer array includes the steps of:directing ultrasound energy through the ultrasound transmissive window;and receiving ultrasound energy through the ultrasound transmissivewindow.
 15. The method of adjusting an ablation field radiating intotissue of claim 12, wherein the tissue-contact surface further includesa second region defining a microwave transmissive window.
 16. The methodof adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue of claim 15,wherein the phased antenna array is operatively associated with themicrowave transmissive window.
 17. A medical device suitable fordelivery of energy to tissue, comprising: a housing; a phased antennaarray disposed within the housing; an ultrasound transducer arraydisposed within the housing, the ultrasound transducer array configuredto acquire data representative of the tissue region during energydelivery into the tissue region by the phased antenna array, wherein theultrasound transducer selectively generates a bubble field in a regionof tissue; and a user-interface coupled to the housing, theuser-interface adapted to enable a user to selectively adjust theradiation pattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into a tissueregion by the phased antenna, the user interface electronically steeringa radiated beam of the phased antenna array based on observation of thebubble field.
 18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein the housingincludes: a body member defining an internal chamber configured tocontain the ultrasound transducer device and the phased antenna arraytherein.
 19. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the phased antennaarray is operably coupled to an electrosurgical power generating source.20. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the ultrasound transducerarray is communicatively coupled with an ultrasound imaging system.